Circulating casing hanger assembly



Sept. 20, 1966 R. w. WALKER CIRCULATING CASING HANGER ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 2, 1963 INVENTOR. B4 mam/.0 WI W41. x5e

I a'x flrrae/vzw.

Sept. 20, 1966 R. w. WALKER CIRCULATING CASING HANGER ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 2, 1965 United States Patent 3 273 646 CIRCULATING CASING HANGER ASSEMBLY Raymond W. Walker, Huntington Beach, Calif., assignor to Shatter Tool Works, Brea, Calif., a corporation of California Filed July 2, 1963, Ser. No. 292,390 11 Claims. (Cl. 166-86) The present invention relates to a circulating casing hanger assembly and more particularly to a casing hanger assembly which can be used to facilitate the cementing of a well hole casing into a well hole structure wherein the circulating casing hanger assembly becomes a per-manent part of the well hole casing and is adapted to receive and land therein additional well hole tools.

The cementing of a Well hole casing Within a well head structure has for many years burdened the oil well industry with many costly and time consuming difficulties. Among such difliculties was the problem of insuring a solid cementing operation of the casing Within the well head structure and still provide a reliable means of effecting a secondary seal. Many prior cementers or permanent casing hangers operated on a volumetric basis wherein a predetermined amount or volume of cement was pumped into the well and allowed to flow up around the casing and permanently secure it in place. However, leaks or cracks in the well head structure or ruptured strata of the hole itself drained oil? a portion of the cement, and many times prevented an adequate cementing of the casing. Should this crack or leak occur near the bottom of the hole, virtually all the cement may be drained off or lost from the annulus around the casing, thereby putting greater reliance on the secondary seal to prevent any leakage of down hole pressure.

Prior cementers using a return line for logging the height of the effective cement created still further problems. Cement was pumped down into the casing, out the bottom and into the annulus around the casing. To permit the cement to enter the return line or flow past the cementer, the cementer or casing hanger had to be raised up a sutficient distance to provide a flow path thereabout.

. When sufficient cement had passed the cementer, the cementer was allowed to settle back down to its intended position. The high specific gravity of liquid cement many times buoyed up the casing hanger and prevented it from reassuming its correct position. Therefore, this process was not positive and was of the hit or miss variety with the high probability that the casing was not at the bottom of the well hole.

Sealing off the cemented annulus around the casing also became diflicult in prior devices in that the abrasive effect of liquid cement ripped or damaged the seals, thereby preventing an eliective seal. Furthermore, when seals were forced across threaded portions of the cementer, additional ripping, tearing or damage of the seals occurred.

The device of the present invention is a circulating c-asing hanger assembly which can be utilized in permanently cementing a well hole casing in place within a well head structure. The present device is inserted into a well hole structure while carrying a section of well hole casing to be installed and is supported therein in its final intended position. Cement is permitted to bypass the hanger assembly support through spaced channels provided in the support. The cemented annulus can then be selectively sealed ofl, after the proper cementing job has been performed, by sealing means which are never subjected to the abrasive effect of the fluid cement and which are never forced across threads or other surfaces which may damage or have a deleterious eiTect on such sealing means. Such sealing means may then act as an Patented Sept. 20, .1966

effective, reliable, positive secondary seal supplementing the seal provided by the cemented annulus.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a circulating casing hanger assembly that avoids all of the foregoing disadvantages of similar type devices used heretofore.

An object of the present invention is to disclose and provide a circulating casing hanger assembly that virtually insures a solid, reliable cementing of a Well hole casing within a well head structure.

Another object of the present invention is to disclose and provide a circulating casing hanger assembly that can be inserted into a well head structure and cemented thereto without subsequent longitudinal movement of the hanger assembly during the cementing operation.

A ttunther object of the present invention is to disclose and provide a circulating casing hanger assembly that has sealing means for effectively and positively sealing oil the cemented annulus beyond the casing hanger assembly.

Still another object of the present invention is to dis close and provide a circulating casing hanger assembly that can be adapted to receive and land additional well hole tools therein.

Another object is to provide a circulating casing hanger assembly which permits a visual observation of the return of cement from the well hole to positively determine when the sealing means should be actuated to seal off the flow of additional cement.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a circulating casing hanger that has a sealing means which acts as a secondary seal to supplement the seal produced by the cemented annulus to prevent any leakage of down hole pressure.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of an exemplary device of the present invention in open or cementing position.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged elevation view in section of the device in open position taken along plane IIII of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a transverse section view of the device taken along plane IIIIII of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view, partly in section, of the device similar to FIG. 1, but showing the device in sealed or closed position.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged elevational view, in section, of the device in closed position taken along plane VV of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a transverse section view of the device taken along plane VI-VI of FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 an exemplary circulating casing hanger assembly 10 of the present invention after it has been inserted into a Well head structure 11 and is still in the open or cementing position.

As best seen in FIG. 2, casing hanger assembly 10 includes an elongated, tubular casing hanger member 12 which has an upper end 13 and a lower end 14. The lower end 14 of casing hanger member 12 may have means for receiving and supporting a well hole casing 15 which is to be permanently cemented into position Within the well hole structure. Such means may include a threaded connection 16 which threadably receives and carries well :hole casing 15 during the cementing operation.

Casing hanger member 12 includes supporting means on the inner surface thereof to receive and land additional well hole tools (not shown). One such means may include an inwardly and downwardly tapering, frustoconical shoulder 17. Shoulder 17 may act independently or. it' may act in concert with left-hand threads 17a to receive the additional equipment.

Casing hanger member 12 may be provided with radially extending support means 18 which are adapted to cooperate with an upwardly directed'support lip 19 provided by axially aligned concentric bores 21 and 22 in the well head structure 11 to support casing hanger member 12 'in its intended final position. Such support means 18- may comprise circumferentially spaced, radially extending rib portions 23 which have downwardly directed sup port shoulders 24 at one end thereof to cooperate with support lip 19 to support the casing hanger member 12. Rib portions 23 also have upwardly directed stop shoulders 25 at the other end thereof.

Support means 18 may be provided with at least one longitudinal channel 26 for allowing cement to flow therethrough. Such channel 26 is provided by the space between adjacent rib portions 23. However, when a plu- 'is preferred that a plurality of circumferentially spaced ports 28 be employed to facilitate rapid flow of cement to a return conduit. As best seen in FIG. 2, ports 28 are located in member 12 above stop shoulders 25 on rib portions 23.

A removable adapter 29 (having left-hand external threads) may be provided to cooperate with the threaded portion 17a of the member 12 to connect a hollow supply line or landing string 31 to casing hanger member 12 during the cementing operation. may be casing similar to casing and it may be used to lower hanger member 12 with casing 15 attached into the well hole. The left-hand threaded connection between adapter 29 and threaded portion 17a permits removal of the adapter from the well hole without disturbing the remainder of the drill string. The external diameter of landing string 31 is appreciably smaller than the internal diameter of tubular casing hanger member 12 thereby creating an annular vacant space 32 therebetween.

Landing string 31 Vacant space 32 communicates with ports 28 and may be utilized as a return conduit for mud or cement.

During the cementing operation, cement is pumped down through landing string 31 by any well-known method, through casing hanger member 12 and into well hole casing 15. The cement, upon reaching the well hole bottom, is forced out of the bottom of the casing 15 and circulates up in the annulus between casing 15 and bore 21 of well head structure 11. The cement then passes up throughchannels 26 between rib portions 23 into bore 22 of well head structure 11. From bore 22, the cement passes through ports 28 into return conduit 32 and back to the surface (not shown) to provide a visual determination that the cement has fully circulated. This process provides a solid, reliable cementing of casing 15 within well head structure 11.

Axially adjustable and movable seal means 33 may be provided on the upper end 13 of said casing hanger member 12 to seal ofi the cemented annulus after complete cement circulation has been verified. Such sealing means 33 may include an annular sealing element 34 which may be retained by a pair of retaining and protecting rings 35. Sealing element 34 may be made of various materials, such as any natural or synthetic rubber, for example, Hycar Buna with a Shore hardness of between 70-80. Sealing element 34 fits snugly but slidably between casing hanger member 12 and bore 22 in well head structure 11. In the open position of FIG. 2, cement flows upwardly in bore 22; it can be seen that the bottom retainer ring 35 always protects the sealing element 34 from the abrasive eifects of onrushing liquid cement.

A Bellev ille spring 36 may be provided for abutting retainer ring 35 atop sealing element 34 to absorb any slack in the sealing means 33. Sealing means 33 includes a longitudinally movable sealing element setting sleeve 37 abutting spring 36 and adjustably connected to casing hanger member 12 at its upper end 13 as by the threadable connection 38. Setting sleeve 37 is adapted to be rotated and moved longitudinally downwardly forcing sealing element 34 into permanent sealing position (FIG. 5).

Means may be provided on sealing element setting sleeve 37 to selectively rotate the setting sleeve to move it longitudinally downwardly. Such means may include transversely opening slots or key ways 39 (FIGS. 1 and 5) on the top edge of setting sleeve 37 which are adapted to receive and cooperate with correspondingly shaped teeth or splines 41 provided on a rotating tool 42 (FIG. 4) which is in turn rotated by any Well known means (not shown) from the surface or drilling platform.

In normal operation, circulating casing hanger assembly 10 will be supported entirely by the cooperation of support lip 19 on well head structure 11 and the support shoulders 24 on rib portion 23, the weight of the unit together with the weight of casing 15 being suflicient to restrain the assembly 10 from longitudinal movement during the cementing operation. However, should an additional safeguard be required an optional annular expandable, resilient snap ring 43 may be carried by rib por-' tions 23 in appropriately shaped key ways 44. Such snap rings 43 are adapted to expand outwardly and into engagement with circumferentially extending groove 45 in well head structure 11 when rib portions 23 are landed on support lip 19 (FIG. 2). Snap ring 43 will further restrain any longitudinal movement of assembly 10 during the cementing operation.

To operate the device, circulating casing hanger assembly 10 is first inserted into well head structure 11 until support shoulders 24 engage support lips 19. If used, snap ring 43 will snap into place in groove 45 thereby setting the entire assembly 10 in its final position. The cementing operation is then begun by pumping cement down through landing string 31, through assembly 10 and into well hole casing 15. The cement is forced out the bottom of casing 15 and circulated up through the annulus between bore 21 in well head structure 11 and casing 15. The cement flows through channels 26, into bore 22 and through ports 28 into return conduit 32 to be carried back to the surface.

After a solid cementing of casing 15 has been insured, adapter 29 is removed and rotating tool 42 is inserted into engagement with sleeve 37. The tool 42 is then rotated, thereby rotating and moving setting sleeve 37 and seal 34 downwardly and compressing spring 36. As seal element 34 moves downwardly and across ports 28 an effective secondary seal is created. Additional longitudinal and downward movement of setting sleeve 37 forces seal element 34 below ports 28 until the lower retainer ring 35 abuts stop shoulders 25 on rib portions 23 (FIG. 5). Further downward movement of sleeve 37 will force seal 34 r to be compressed and to be radially expanded into tight sealing engagement with bore 22 and casing hanger member 12 thereby positively effecting an annular seal in bore 22. Thereafter any down-hole pressure is reliably sealed off by the cemented annulus with seal element 34 serving as a secondary seal should the cement seal fail.

It can be seen that seal element 34 is never forced across any rough surfaces nor is it ever subjected to the abrasive effects of onrushing liquid cement. A solid, reliable cementing of casing 15 and circulating casing hanger assembly 10 Within well head structure 11 can thereby be effectuated without sacrificing operational reliability of secondary sealing means.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim:

1. A circulating casing hanger assembly adapted to be permanently inserted into a well head structure for use in cementing additional casing therewithin, comprising:

a tubular, elongated casing hanger member having upper and lower ends,

means on said lower end of said casing hanger member for carrying well hole casing adapted to be permanently cemented into position within the well hole structure,

supporting means on the inner surface of said casing hanger member for receiving and landing additional well tools,

radially extending circumferentially spaced rib portions provided on said casing hanger member and adapted to support said casing hanger member in the well head structure, said ribs including downwardly directed support shoulders at one end thereof and upwardly directed stop shoulders at the other end thereof,

the spaces between said ribs providing longitudinally extending channels for allowing cement to pass upwardly therethrough, circumferentially spaced, transverse fluid ports in said casing hanger member spaced from said casing hanger member lower end and above said radially extending rib portions, I

a movable sealing element carried on the exterior of said casing hanger member adjacent said ports, said sealing element adapted to be longitudinally moved across said ports to seal oif flow through said ports and into abutting engagement with said stop shoulders on said ribs when in sealed positions; and

a longitudinally movable seal element setting sleeve cooperating with said seal element and threadably engaging said casing hanger member, said setting sleeve including means for rotating and moving said sleeve longitudinally, whereby fluid flowing around the periphery of said casing hanger member and into said ports can be sealed oil by said seal element being moved into sealing engagement across said ports by said seal setting sleeve.

2. A circulating casing hanger assembly as described in claim 1 including an annular flexible, expandable locking ring carried by said radially extending rib portions and adapted to engage and cooperate with said well head structure to prevent longitudinal movement of said casing hanger assembly during cementing operation.

3. A circulating casing hanger assembly adapted to be permanently inserted into a well head structure for use in cementing additional casing therewithin, comprising:

a tubular, elongated casing hanger member having upper and lower ends,

means on said lower end of said casing hanger member for carrying well hOle casing adapted to be permanently cemented into position within the well hole structure,

supporting means on the inner surface of said casing hanger member for receiving and landing additional well tools,

circumferentially spaced, radially extending longitudinal rib portions on said lower end of said casing hanger member for supporting said casing hanger member in a predetermined position during cementing operation within the well hole structure,

said rib portions including downwardly directed support shoulders at the lower ends thereof,

the spaces between said rib portions providing longitudinally extending channels for allowing cement to pass upwardly therethrough,

circumferentially spaced, transverse fluid poi-ts provided in said casing hanger member and spaced above said radially extending rib portions;

a movable annular sealing element carried on the exterior of said casing hanger member above said ports, said sealing element adapted to be downwardly and longitudinally moved across said ports to seal 01f flow therethrough; and

a longitudinally movable sealing element setting sleeve cooperating with said sealing element and threadably engaging said casing hanger member, said setting sleeve including means thereon for rotating said setting sleeve to move it longitudinally.

4. A circulating casing hanger assembly adapted to be permanently inserted into a well head structure for use in cementing additional casing therewithin, comprising:

a tubular, elongated casing hanger member having upper and lower ends,

means on said lower end of said casing hanger member for carrying well hole casing adapted to be permanently cemented into position within the well hole structure,

circumferentially spaced, radially extending longitudinal rib portions on said lower end of said casing hanger member for supporting said casing hanger member in a predetermined position during cementing operation within the well hole structure,

the spaces between said radially extending rib portions providing longitudinally extending channels for allowing cement to pass upwardly therebetween,

said ribs including downwardly directed support shoulders on said lower end and upwardly directed stop shoulders on said upper end,

circumferentially spaced, transverse fluid ports in said casing hanger member spaced above said radially extending rib portions; and

axially adjustable and movable cement sealing means carried by said upper end of said casing hanger member and adapted to be moved downwardly below said fluid ports into a sealing position for sealing ofl said fluid ports and preventing flow of cement around the exterior of said casing hanger assembly and beyond said ports after the cementing operation has been completed,

said sealing means abutting said stop shoulders on said rib portions when moved into the sealing position.

5. A circulating casing hanger assembly adapted to be permanently inserted into a well head structure for use in cementing additional casing therewithin, comprising:

a tubular, elongated casing hanger member having upper and lower ends,

means on said lower end of said casing hanger member for carrying well hole casing adapted to be permanently cemented into position within the well hole structure,

circumferentially spaced radially extending longitudinal rib portions on said lower end of said casing hanger member for supporting said casing hanger member in a predetermined position during cementing operation within the well hole structure,

the spaces between said rib portions providing longitudinally extending channels for allowing cement to pass upwardly there-between,

circumferentially spaced, transversely opening fluid ports in said casing hanger member spaced above said radially extending rib portions; and

axially adjustable and movable cement sealing means carried by said upper end of said casing hanger member and adapted to be moved downwardly below said fluid ports into a sealing position for sealing off said fluid ports and preventing flow of cement around the exterior of said casing hanger member and beyond said ports after cementing operation has been completed.

6. A circulating casing hanger assembly adapted to be permanently inserted into a well head structure for use in cementing additional casing therewithin, compris a tubular, elongated casing hanger member having upper and lower ends,

means on said lower end of said casing hanger member for carrying well hole casing adapted to be permanently cemented into position within the well hole structure,

circumferentially spaced radially extending longitudinal rib portions on said lower end of said casing hanger member for supporting said casing hanger member in a predetermined position during cementing operation within the well hole structure,

the spaces between said rib portions providing longitudinally extending channels for allowing cement to pass upwardly therethrough,

at least one transverse fluid port in said casing hanger member spaced from said casing hanger member lower end and above said radially extending rib portions;

an annular sealing element carried on the exterior of said casing hanger member adjacent said port, said sealing element adapted to be longitudinally moved into a sealing position across said port to seal off flow through said port; and

a longitudinally movable sealing element setting sleeve abutting said sealing element and threadably engaging said casing hanger member, said setting sleeve including means for longitudinally moving and rotating said setting sleeve.

7. A circulating casing hanger assembly adapted to be permanently inserted into a well head structure for use in cementing additional casing therewithin, comprising:

a tubular, elongated casing hanger member having upper and lower ends,

means on said lower end of said casing hanger member for carrying well hole casing adapted to be permanently cemented into position with the well hole structure,

supporting means on the inner surface of said casing hanger member for receiving and landing additional well tools,

circumferentially spaced radially extending longitudinal rib portions near said lower end of said casing hanging member for supporting said casing hanger member in a predetermined position during cementing operation within the well hole structure, the spaces between said rib portions defining longitudinally extending channels for allowing cement to pass upwardly therethrough,

at least one transverse fluid port in said casing hanger member spaced from said casing hanger member lower end and above said radially extending support means; and

axially adjustable and movable cement sealing means carried by said upper end of said casing hanger member and adapted to be moved downwardly below said fluid ports into a sealing position for sealing off said fluid port and preventing flow of cement around the exterior of said casing hanger member and beyond said port after the cementing operation has been completed.

8. A circulating casing hanger assembly adapted to be permanently inserted into a well head structurevfor use in cementing additional casing therewithin, comprising:

a tubular, elongated casing hanger member having upper and lower ends,

means on said lower end of said casing hanger member for carrying a well hole casing adapted to be 8 permanently cemented into position within the well hole structure, radially extending support means provided on said lower end of said casing hanger member for supporting said casing hanger member in a predetermined position during cementing operation within the well hole structure, said radially extending support means including at least one longitudinally extending channel for allowing cement to pass upwardly therethrough,

circumferentially spaced, transverse fluid ports in said casing hanger member spaced from said casing hanger member lower end and above said radially extending support means; and

axially adjustable and movable cement sealing means carried by said upper end of said casing hanger member for sealing off said fluid ports and preventing flow of cement around the exterior of said casing hanger assembly and beyond said ports after the cementing operation has been completed.

9. A circulating casing hanger assembly adapted to be permanently inserted into a well head structure for use in cementing additional casing therewithin, comprising:

a tubular, elongated casing hanger member having upper and lower ends,

means on said lower end of said casing hanger member for carrying well hole casing adapted to be permanently cemented into position within the well hole structure,

supporting means on the inner surface of said casing hanger member for receiving and landing additional well tools,

radially extending support means provided on the exterior of said lower end of said casing hanger member for supporting said casing hanger member in a predetermined position during cementing operation within the well hole structure,

said supporting means including at least one longitudinally extending channel for allowing cement to pass upwardly therethrough,

at least one transverse fluid port in said casing hanger member spaced from said casing hanger member lower end and above said radially extending support means; and

axially adjustable and movable cement sealing means carried by said upper end of said casing hanger member for sealing off said fluid port and preventing flow of cement around the exterior of said casing hanger assembly and beyond said port after the cementing operation has been completed.

10. A circulating casing hanger assembly as described in claim 9, including an annular, flexible, expandable locking ring carried by said radially extending support means and adapted to engage and cooperate with said well head structure to prevent longitudinal movement of said casing hanger assembly during cementing operation.

11. A circulating casing hanger assembly as stated and described in claim 9, wherein said supporting means comprises a downwardly and inwardly tapering frusto-conical landing shoulder intermediate said transversely opening port and said lower end of said casing hanger member for receiving and landing additional well tools.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 24,609 2/1959 Johnson 166-88 1,598,794 9/1926 Warren 16689 2,310,572 2/1943 Burns 166-124 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

I. A. LEPPINK, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CIRCULATING CASING HANGER ASSEMBLY ADAPTED TO BE PERMANENTLY INSERTED INTO A WELL HEAD STRUCTURE FOR USE IN CEMENTING ADDITIONAL CASING THEREWITHIN, COMPRISING: A TUBULAR, ELONGATED CASING HANGER MEMBER HAVING UPPER AND LOWER ENDS, MEANS ON SAID LOWER END OF SAID CASING HANGER MEMBER FOR CARRYING WELL HOLE CASING ADAPTED TO BE PREMANENTLY CEMENTED INTO POSITION WITHIN THE WELL HOLE STRUCTURE, SUPPORTING MEANS ON THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID CASING HANGER MEMBER FOR RECEIVING AND LANDING ADDITIONAL WELL TOOLS, RADIALLY EXTENDING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED RIB PORTIONS PROVIDED ON SAID CASING HANGER MEMBER AND ADAPTED TO SUPPORT SAID CASING HANGER MEMBER IN THE WELL HEAD STRUCTURE, SAID RIBS INCLUDING DOWNWARDLY DIRECTED SUPPORT SHOULDERS AT ONE END THEREOF AND UPWARDLY DIRECTED STOP SHOULDERS AT THE OTHER END THEREOF, THE SPACES BETWEEN SAID RIBS PROVIDING LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING CHANNELS FOR ALLOWING CEMENT TO PASS UPWARDLY THERETHROUGH, CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED, TRANSVERSE FLUID PORTS IN SAID CASING HANGER MEMBER SPACED FROM SAID CASING HANGER MEMBER LOWER END AND ABOVE SAID RADIALLY EXTENDING RIB PORTIONS, A MOVABLE SEALING ELEMENT CARRIED ON THE EXTERIOR OF SAID HANGER MEMBER ADJACENT SAID PORTS, SAID SEALING ELEMENT ADAPTED TO BE LONGITUDINALLY MOVED ACROSS SAID PORTS TO SEAL OFF FLOW THROUGH SAID PORTS AND INTO ABUTTING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID STOP SHOULDERS ON SAID RIBS WHEN IN SEALED POSITIONS; AND A LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE SEAL ELEMENT SETTING SLEEVE COOPERATING WITH SAID SEAL ELEMENT AND THREADABLY ENGAGING SAID CASING HANGER MEMBER, SAID SETTING SLEEVE INCLUDING MEANS FOR ROTATINF AND MOVING SAID SLEEVE LONGITUDINALLY, WHEREBY FLUID FLOWING AROUND THE PERIPHERY OF SAID CASING HANGER MEMBER AND INTO SAID PORTS CAN BE SEALED OFF BY SAID SEAL ELEMENT BEING MOVED INTO SEALING ENGAGEMENT ACROSS SAID PORTS BY SAID SEAL SETTING SLEEVE. 